Miers Withdraws Nomination
 Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination early this morning in the face of mounting criticism from liberals and conservatives. President Bush reluctantly accepted her withdrawal saying it "demonstrated her deep respect for this essential aspect of the Constitutional separation of powers."
Miers had come under fire for many reasons, including a lack of available information about her judicial philosophy. The Senate Judiciary committee had returned her questionnaire seeking more thorough answers to a variety of questions. The committee was also pressuring the White House to release documentation related to her work as Staff Secretary and White House Counsel. The President was unwilling to release this information saying such disclosures would "undermine a President's ability to receive candid counsel."
The President has said he will work to quickly nominate a new person to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. At least one network (FoxNews) is reporting that Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan is a potential candidate. To read more on this story, click here. To read the President's statement, click here.
Adoption Recommendations Underway
 Last week, MFF released its newest research publication "Infant Adoption in Michigan: Reviving a Vanishing Phenomenon" and also hosted National Council for Adoption President Tom Atwood. Both MFF and Mr. Atwood had several recommendations for lawmakers.
Since the release of the new report, MFF has been pleased to learn that there is strong bi-partisan support for promoting a culture of adoption in Michigan. Rep. John Gleason (D-Flint) is planning to sponsor a bill that will expand the ability of adoptive parents to provide health care coverage for the birth mother and child. More specific details will be available once the bill is introduced. Rep. Matt Gillard (D-Alpena) has introduced HB 4780, which would require that employers who provide leave with pay to an employee following the birth of a child offer the same benefits to the parents of a child adopted at birth. "MFF looks forward to working in a bi-partisan fashion with lawmakers to help make Michigan a more adoption-friendly state," said MFF Research and Public Policy Director Dan Jarvis.
To download a copy of "Infant Adoption in Michigan: Reviving a Vanishing Phenomenon," click here. To view HB 4780, click here.
Quote of the Week
"I regret that some people, regardless of race, are in such a state of mind that they would harm an older person. Too many of today's youth don't know who they are or where they have been. And therefore, they don't know where they're going. I live in hope that things will be better. If we get to children at an early age and see that they get the proper guidance, then they will not fall into that behavior that is harmful to themselves and others."
-Civil Rights Leader Rosa Parks, in an interview after being attacked and robbed by an African-American teen in her Detroit home when she was 82. Mrs. Parks passed away this week at the age of 92.
New Poll Measures America's Attitudes About "Faith and Family"
 In a recent poll on religion and the family conducted for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Inc., almost three quarters of all Americans agree that "God's plan for marriage is one man, one woman, for life." A strong majority of Americans (71%) idealize the traditional family even as divorce, cohabitation, and nontraditional family situations are becoming more accepted across religious groups. Only 22% of Americans think that divorce is a sin and almost half (49%) say that cohabitation is acceptable.
"Clearly this poll indicates that Americans have a bi-polar view when it comes to preserving the family unit," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "While there seems to be strong support for the idea of the 'traditional family,' it also appears that divorce and cohabitation are being increasingly accepted. This is unfortunate, especially for children, who face a host of obstacles when raised in a home with divorced or cohabiting parents."
The results of this survey will be used as part of a four-part series entitled "Faith and Family in America" to be broadcast on PBS beginning October 28. To read more about the program and the poll, click here.
Michigan Family Forum Relies on Your Support
 Do you enjoy staying up to date on issues affecting the family in Michigan? Is the Forum Online a valuable resource to help you stay abreast of legislative issues and other events affecting your family? Everything Michigan Family Forum does to promote "Sound Public Policy for Stronger Michigan Families" is contingent upon the support of our faithful donors.
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Click here for information about how to support our efforts. Thank you for your generous financial giving and prayer support. May God richly bless you and your family in the days ahead.
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